Pronunciation: [kˈɪdə͡ʊz] (IPA) 
The word "kiddos" is a colloquial term used to refer to young children. It is spelled with a "k" instead of a "c" to emphasize its informality and playfulness. In IPA phonetic transcription, "kiddos" is pronounced as /ˈkɪd.oʊz/, with stress on the first syllable and a long "i" sound in the second syllable. The ending "-os" is pronounced as a single syllable with a short "o" sound followed by a "z" sound.
Kiddos is an informal term or colloquialism that refers to young children or kids. It is a playful and endearing term often used by adults when addressing or talking about children in a friendly or affectionate manner. The term is a derivative of the word "kids," which is a common noun for children.
While the exact origin of the word is unclear, "kiddos" emerged as a slang term in the early 20th century, primarily in American English. It gained popularity over time and is now commonly used in everyday conversations, particularly in informal settings such as family gatherings, conversations among friends, or when speaking with younger children directly.
The term "kiddos" carries a sense of warmth, affection, and camaraderie, often evoking a feeling of fondness and playfulness towards children. It is used as a term of endearment to show familiarity and empathy towards youngsters.
For example, a teacher might say, "Alright, kiddos, it's time to gather around for storytime!" Or a parent might say, "We're going to the park, kiddos, so put on your shoes and get ready!"
Overall, "kiddos" is a lighthearted and informal term embraced for its casual and affectionate connotation when referring to children.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word kiddos is believed to be an informal and colloquial term derived from the word kid, which is used to refer to a child or a young person. It is a diminutive form of kids, indicating a sense of endearment or affection towards children. The added -os is reminiscent of the plural form in Spanish, Portuguese, and other romance languages, further adding a playful and affectionate tone. The exact origin and etymology of kiddos as a distinct word is difficult to trace, as it is primarily an adaption and extension of the word kids.
